Sarah Sheridan, Erica Dunham go 1-2 in MIAA, leading Hope to new heights

Sunday

Feb 16, 2014 at 8:00 AM

By Dan.D'Addona@hollandsentinel.com (616) 546-4276

GRAND RAPIDS — Just a few years ago, the Hope College diving team was lucky to have more than one diver.Now, the Flying Dutch program has reached its highest level.Hope dominated on the boards at this week's Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Swimming & Diving Championships like never before.Friday saw four Hope divers score in the top eight, led by sophomore Sarah Sheridan, who won the MIAA championship on both the 1-meter and 3-meter board to claim MIAA Most Valuable Diver honors."It has been incredible," Sheridan said. "We have such a big team and a lot of cheering."Sheridan finished second on both boards last year, but this year, claimed titles with a score of 423.35 on 1-meter and 480.85 on 3-meter. Her scores qualified her for the NCAA Division III zone championships with a chance to make the national championship meet."We focused on competing against yourself and everyone applied that," Hope coach Zack Golin said. "Consistency really paid off."Junior Erica Dunham finished second on 1-meter (406.3) and was third on 3-meter (415.1)."I really think just having four of us in here and knowing we had a chance at winning leagues this year," Dunham said. "We wanted to be on."And Dunham was on, bettering her personal best on 1-meter by 23 points and qualifying for NCAA zones in both events."(My 1-meter performance) really came out of nowhere," she said. "I got my first cut in 3-meter, so the excitement has really set in. That helped me relax, knowing that I got the cut. Knowing that I had the skills to be on that podium helped me go into 1-meter really confident."Sheridan followed Dunham in the diving order."Erica was on it and hit every dive," Sheridan said. "Every time she came off the board, I was screaming as I was getting ready to dive. It was really exciting and kind of took my thoughts off of myself. When I think about myself too much, it never ends up well."Sheridan had a lot to cheer about Friday with four of the five Hope divers finishing in the top eight.Sophomore Stephanie Polet finished fifth on 1-meter (362.25) and also earned an NCAA zone qualification. A fourth teammate, Elizabeth Eader, was sixth (350.25), giving the Flying Dutch major points in diving."Stephanie and Liz were nailing their dives, too," Sheridan said. "It was just amazing that we were all doing so well."And it started with Sheridan."We all saw typical Sarah, hitting dives like she can and putting up big numbers," Dunham said. "It is helpful because I am a competitive person, and I am always striving to be better. I always want to try and keep on her tail."Dunham will again try to do that at zones.Sheridan qualified last year and missed nationals by one spot."I think every time I stepped on the board I told myself that I could do the dive this year," she said. "That has really prepared me for zones. I found a way to think positive thoughts and perform under pressure. I feel more ready than I did last year."And having company won't hurt, either."It is obviously gratifying," Golin said. "We are getting good athletes in here, and they are applying themselves. It is really great for the program. I want Hope diving to be on the map. This was a big step in the right direction, having three divers qualify for zones. Anytime someone looks at a program and sees success, there is interest there. I hope that it attracts some talent."